Nov 04 | 2019
21 recommendations from chemistry association
The American Chemistry Council has issued 21 recommendations to the U.S. Trade Representative to boost regulatory cooperation in the industrial sector and improve efficiencies.
The comments, submitted for the 2020 National Trade Estimate report, call on international governments to advance coordinated regulation and trade agreements under existing World Trade Organization commitments.
“We believe that regulatory cooperation is an important element for making the WTO agenda relevant to the business community,” said Ed Brzytwa, director for international trade at the ACC.
Half of Manufacturing Construction Spend
The ACC highlighted key trade agreements such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and ongoing trade negotiations with the EU, Japan, the UK and efforts in Latin America and Southeast Asia as vital components of a strategy to boost breakbulk chemicals industry activity.
Construction of new chemicals infrastructure in the U.S. has been a major driver for recent breakbulk demand, spurred by the shale gas revolution in the country.
“In 2016 and 2017, the chemical industry accounted for nearly half of all construction spending in U.S. manufacturing. Much of the new capacity is intended for export, reflecting investors’ belief that the United States is a superior platform from which to serve the global marketplace," Brzytwa explained.
China Pressure
Through its support for the development of deeper WTO trade, the ACC called on USTR, Robert Lighthizer, to keep the pressure on China.
“ACC urges the U.S. government to request that China fully implement its WTO commitments … ensuring that determinations are based on law and facts, relying on transparent, standard AD/CVD processes, and notifying all of its subsidies to relevant WTO committees in a timely manner," Brzytwa said.
Based in Washington, D.C., the ACC represents companies engaged in the business of chemistry and provides best-in-class member engagement, political advocacy, communications and scientific research.
The comments, submitted for the 2020 National Trade Estimate report, call on international governments to advance coordinated regulation and trade agreements under existing World Trade Organization commitments.
“We believe that regulatory cooperation is an important element for making the WTO agenda relevant to the business community,” said Ed Brzytwa, director for international trade at the ACC.
Half of Manufacturing Construction Spend
The ACC highlighted key trade agreements such as the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and ongoing trade negotiations with the EU, Japan, the UK and efforts in Latin America and Southeast Asia as vital components of a strategy to boost breakbulk chemicals industry activity.
Construction of new chemicals infrastructure in the U.S. has been a major driver for recent breakbulk demand, spurred by the shale gas revolution in the country.
“In 2016 and 2017, the chemical industry accounted for nearly half of all construction spending in U.S. manufacturing. Much of the new capacity is intended for export, reflecting investors’ belief that the United States is a superior platform from which to serve the global marketplace," Brzytwa explained.
China Pressure
Through its support for the development of deeper WTO trade, the ACC called on USTR, Robert Lighthizer, to keep the pressure on China.
“ACC urges the U.S. government to request that China fully implement its WTO commitments … ensuring that determinations are based on law and facts, relying on transparent, standard AD/CVD processes, and notifying all of its subsidies to relevant WTO committees in a timely manner," Brzytwa said.
Based in Washington, D.C., the ACC represents companies engaged in the business of chemistry and provides best-in-class member engagement, political advocacy, communications and scientific research.
